Man sentenced to 41 years in prison for defiling, infecting 13-year-old girl with AIDs

What you need to know:

  • The victim was examined by Dr John Kategare who told court that during medical examination, the girl's private parts had bruises, her hymen had been ruptured and that she was infected with HIV/AIDs.
  • According to the judge, girls in the victim’s position (PWDs) need to be protected and not be taken advantage of.

A 44-year-old man in Masaka District in central Uganda is to spend 41 years of his life behind bars after the High Court found him guilty of defiling and infecting a 13-year-old girl with HIV/AIDS.
Justice Winfred Nabisinde on Tuesday heard that on September 26, 2015 at about 7pm, Jackson Bulenzi, a resident of Lwenkakala village, Lwengo Sub County in Lwengo District took advantage of the teenage girl with hearing and speech impairment while her mother was away.

Prosecution led by Mr Ivan Nkwasibwe told court that on the fateful day, Bulenzi found the girl at her parent’s home, grabbed her and dragged her to the nearby banana plantation before defiling her.
Mr Nkwasibwe presented six witnesses among whom was the victim who used sign language in court to pin Bulenzi for defiling her.

The victim was examined by Dr John Kategare who told court that during medical examination, the girl's private parts had bruises, her hymen had been ruptured and that she was infected with HIV/AIDs.
Mr Nkwasibwe had asked for a maximum sentence of death penalty on grounds that throughout the whole trial, Bulenzi did not show any remorse.
However, Bulenzi’s lawyer Andrew Tusingwire told court that the convict is very sick and needs medical attention.

“My Lord, my client is very sick that apart from being HIV positive, he uses a tube to pass urine. His health does not require him to stay in jail for a long period of time and we pray that he is given a lenient sentence,” said Mr Tusingwire adding that the convict has two children who need his support since he is their bread winner.
In response, Justice Nabisinde said the convict had violated the dignity of the innocent girl which he was obliged to protect.
According to the judge, girls in the victim’s position (PWDs) need to be protected and not be taken advantage of.